New Delhi: The Supreme Court has said that teachers should be open to upgrading their skills or they could quit, while declining to entertain a plea by local body teachers in Bihar challenging a competency test, which has been introduced by the state to enhance the quality of education in schools located in rural areas.
A bench comprising Justices BV Nagarathna and Ujjal Bhuyan stressed that teachers help build the nation and strongly criticized the teachers for even thinking they can let go of the competency test, while upholding the state law.
"We are interested in the education of children in the country, particularly in the state of Bihar. If any teacher does not want to comply with this rule, let them resign", observed the bench. The apex court made it clear that if teachers' wish to serve the students, then they would have to take the competency examination.
"Is this the level of education in the country? A postgraduate who gets a job and cannot even write an application for leave?", said the bench. It further added that when a state attempts to improve the system and conducts a qualifying examination, then it is opposed, and added, "If you cannot face these tests, then leave."
